MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Bartlett Police officer is recovering at home after investigators said he was hit by a driver in a stolen vehicle, and the driver has been charged with attempted second degree murder and several other charges.
The driver, Demario Rodriques Mathis Jr. was charged with second degree murder, two felony counts of theft of property in the amount of $10,000-60,000, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, possession of controlled substance marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and intentionally invading arrest in an automobile.
The affidavit said on Wednesday, Jan. 18, a Bartlett officers spotted Mathis driving a vehicle that was suspected to be stolen near Hwy 64 and Wolfcreek lane. Officers located the car at an IHOP restaurant parking lot in the 1100 block of N. Germantown Pkwy, and the vehicle was occupied by Mathis when located, the affidavit said.
The officer put his blue lights on, parked in the restaurant parking lot, exited the vehicle, and then began to approach Mathis in the alleged stolen car, the affidavit said.
According to the affidavit, as the officer walked towards the car, he ordered Mathis to put his hands up and exit the vehicle. Mathis instead drove the vehicle in reverse, hit a light pole, and then he allegedly purposely sped towards the officer, hitting him with the car in his hip and thigh area, the affidavit said.
Mathis then took off from the scene, but he later crashed the stolen vehicle into two parked cars, and ran away on foot, the affidavit said. Mathis was later caught and arrested.
BPD said the injured officer was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Wednesday afternoon, police announced that the officer was released from the hospital. He is now recovering at home.
"We, at the Bartlett Police Department, want to thank the community for their prayers and well wishes for our officer," said the post on Facebook.
Mathis is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment Thursday, Jan. 19.